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MTV marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day with black and white broadcast

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By John Glenday, Reporter

January 19, 2015 | 1 min read

MTV has switched to black and white broadcasting today to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day. part of a special 12 hour schedule designed to stimulate discussion about race amongst viewers.

The colourless tribute will include personal reflections on identity by film and music stars including Ava DuVernay, director of Selma, and its lead actor, David Oyelowo as well as musicians Jordin Sparks, Rand Paul and Cory Book.

Speaking to the Associated Press MTV president Stephen Friedman said: “The device of turning us black and white is going to be really — visually — a jolt to say, you know what, there are differences and if we are going to ever get to a freer, more equal society the best thing we can begin to do is talk about them.”

This forms part of MTV’s Look Different anti-bias campaign intended to promote discussion of race, gender and sexuality.

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